Helpful How To’s: A guide to making the most of the not-so-good situations

How to: Survive… a bad haircut 

If you’ve never experienced walking out of the salon with tears forming, trying to convince yourself that your hair doesn’t look that bad, I envy you and your precious locks. To break it down for you, I spontaneously scheduled a hair appointment the same day I found a gorgeous haircut on Pinterest. Let’s just say I was humbled after I got home and my mom started laughing at the harsh, ridgid cuts that framed my face. 

My mom ended up calling the salon — because I was too embarrassed to myself — and asked for a complimentary haircut to fix my treacherous ‘do. I wore my hair up for the next two days to hide my misery and keep my dignity. Claw clips and ponytails were my best friends for the days in between my next appointment. 

I scavenged Pinterest for “how to style short hair” and “ways to make hair grow longer.” This resulted in me making a concoction of coconut oil and eggs for a rotten-smelling and greasy outcome.

When my re-do appointment came, I took the walk-of-shame back into the salon. After much cutting, shaping and discussing, the hairdresser managed to even out each layer so they flowed nicely together. Yes, I did end up with more of the curtain-bang look, but that was inevitable because she had to cut it all shorter in order to fix the staircase-looking layers. 

Bad haircuts are sometimes an opportunity to learn to make do with what you have. Though this has only happened to me once, I will make sure it never happens again by trusting the person I go to and being clear with what I want done. 

How to: Survive a full week of school… with senioritis

Now almost a month into my last semester of high school and four more months to go, the finish line of graduation is inching closer and my brain is slowly checking out from academic assignments and deadlines. 

Unfortunately, senioritis — the decrease of motivation towards studies shown by students who are nearing the end of their high school or college careers — can’t fully take over me yet, due to the commitments I have to carry out until May. So, here are strategies I’ve developed to stay ahead of my work so I don’t end up failing out of high school. 

Keeping a planner and calendar has saved me more than once, from remembering an assignment I put off ‘til the night before. Calendars keep you looking forward to events and future plans, so when you’re finding sources for your AP Senior Paper just remember spring break is in T-40 days. Another helpful tip that may seem obvious is to do your homework when it’s given and not right before it’s due. Trust me, the stress and angst isn’t worth your energy. Just do it.

How to: Survive… Valentine’s Day single

The dreaded holiday that makes me feel a little too lonely and single — Valentine’s Day. 

Seeing all the Instagram posts and stories of couples reminiscing and drowning in their love, I try not to chuck my phone across the room. But, for the single ladies (and men) that don’t have a significant other, here are some different ways you can make this traditionally romantic day just a day to spread love and kindness. 

Associating this annual love fest with little things like being thankful for the love you have for your friends and family has made the day more valuable for me. You don’t have to do anything extravagant, like planning a helicopter ride during the sunset or handcrafting a scrapbook for someone, but you can easily write one thing you love about that person on a sticky note or pass out heart-shaped chocolates to classmates. I’ve noticed how the littlest of gestures can make someone’s day go from terrible to bearable.  

Flipping my perspective on Valentine’s Day has turned the negative connotations I used to have about the holiday to be positive and impactful. If you used to have the same feelings about Feb.14 as I did, you should try spreading kindness this time around.